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TITAN plate loadable functional trainer vs TITAN adjustable prone row

Written by Pascal Landshoeft | Dec 30, 2020 5:00:00 PM

TITAN plate loadable functional trainer vs TITAN adjustable prone row

This is a comparison between the TITAN plate loadable functional trainer and the TITAN adjustable prone row including pros, cons, and alternatives. Follow the links for more details.

 
 

Overview and review of the Adjustable prone row machine $344

This is an overview of the TITAN Adjustable prone row machine including pros, cons and alternatives. This article was originally posted in Which gym machine to get from TITAN. Follow the links for additional information.

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Overview of the TITAN Prone row machine

 
The TITAN adjustable prone row machine is another variation on free weight row machines that isolates your back and protects your spine at the same time. With this machine you can get onto heavy rows without having to worry too much about back as it rests safely on a bench. Think of this machine as a reverse bench press. The full specifications of this machine are:
 
- (5) Adjustable lifting height positions
- Barbell holder is adjustable from 16 to 22-inches tall to fit most size athletes
- Isolate and build muscle groups easily with the chest supported design
- High-quality materials used for a durable and stable design
- Face cutout for a comfortable lifting position and to keep your spine in line while working out
 
- Overall Height: 41-in.
- Floor Dimensions: 5 FT L x 4 FT W
- Pad Dimensions: 5 FT L x 9.75-in. W
- Barbell Holder Height: 16-in – 22-in.
- Face Cutout Dimensions: 9.5-in L x 4.5-in. W
- Weight Capacity: 650 lb.
- Product Weight: 155 lb.
 
This is a simple and effective machine which is surprisingly seldom to find in gyms all across the world. This machine is easy to maintain and use and protects the user from self harm.
 

Pros of the TITAN Prone row machine

 
The pros of the TITAN prone row machine are:
 
  • Simple to use
  • Focuses on the back
  • Uses free weights
 
This is a simple machine to use that does not need a lot of instructions. You can fully focus on your back while facing less risk to hurt yourself compared to an ordinary barbell row. You can also make use of any already existing barbells and plates to use this machine.
 

Cons of the TITAN Prone row machine

 
The cons of the TITAN prone row machine are:
 
  • One trick pony
  • Space requirements
 
Even though I am a fan of prone row machines myself they are still one trick ponys. You can not do a lot else on them except from the prone rows that they are designed. As this is a full bench with some storage for a barbell it comes in a solid T Shape and is therefore also not the best in terms of space requirements.
 

Alternatives to the TITAN Prone row machine

 
 
The TITAN T bar row machine is an alternative to the prone row machine. This machine only needs additional Olympic plates to function. It is easier to load and unload and also offers some more grip variations. The only downsides are the higher price and that your back is less protected.
 
The Titan plate loaded seated row is a classic machine that you will find in many gyms in countless variations. With this machine you will sit upright and row the weight attached on lever arms in front of you. This is a good machine for the general public to use as the position you row from is more comfortable. The disadvantage is that you will not be working with a barbell.
 
The TITAN chest supported row gives you the opportunity to row a barbell in various angles while your chest is being supported. With this you can go very heavy on barbell rows without having too worry too much about blowing your back out. This machine is slightly pricier than the prone row machine.
 

Conclusion for the TITAN Prone row machine

 
The TITAN prone row machine is a great addition to your gym to work on your back and often overlooked. While seated row is more popular as it is more convenient I personally think that the prone row will get you the better results.
 
 
 
 

Overview and review of the TITAN plate loadable functional trainer $749

This is an overview of the TITAN plate loadable functional trainer including pros, cons and alternatives. This article was originally posted in Which gym machine to get from TITAN. Follow the links for additional information.

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Overview for the TITAN Plate loaded functional trainer

 
The TITAN plate loaded functional trainer is a great budget option to get a multi directional functional trainer into your home. Especially if you have already a rack and barbell setup at home and just not to reuse the plates for this machine. Functional trainers are great to pack a lot of exercises in one space. With this machine from TITAN you can get in your rows, vertical pulls, flyes, and even use it for deadlifts and squats. All the needed handles and accessories are included in the shipping. The full list of features includes:
 
- Comprehensive pulley options including lat, row, and pulldown
- Two 9 1/4” Olympic plate sleeves
- Tough steel design will last for years to come
- Pull-up bar installed at the top
- Sleek black and silver design
- Titan Fitness faceplate included
 
- Max user load: 390 LB
- Overall Footprint: 61” Width x 53” Depth
- Loadable Sleeve Length: 9 1/4”
- Overall height: 81”
- Side handle length: 5”
- Side handle diameter: 1”
- Row handle length: 14 1/4”
- Row grip length: 5” (each)
- Row handle diameter: 1”
- Lat pulldown handle length: 37 1/2”
- Lat pulldown grip length: 5”
- Lat pulldown handle diameter: 1”
 
This is a great budget option for a functional trainer for home gym use. In a commercial setting there might be too many moving parts.
 

Pros of the TITAN Plate loaded functional trainer

 
Pros of the TITAN plate loaded functional trainer are:
 
  • Price
  • Multi purpose training
  • Exercises per square foot
 
The best thing about the TITAN plate loaded functional trainer is the low price. Functional trainers can cost up to $5000 depending on the make, quality, and mechanics used. With this you can have an entire gym in your basement for $700 assuming you already own plates. If you do not a set of TITAN plates can be had for $375. TITAN is already budget orientated as a manufacturer and this is a budget design. If you are strapped for cash, this is a good investment.
 
The pulley system on this functional trainer works in many directions. You can pull up, down, and also use the machine for horizontal pulls. You get everything you need to build muscle and build an attractive physique. It goes above and beyond home trainers that only use your body weight as you can use the plates to continuously get stronger.
 
If you look at how many exercises you can do in small space, this machine is also great. It takes up the same space as a leg press machine, but you can do so many more exercises on it. This makes it a good choice for rehab centers, yoga instructors and other lifestyle and health out fits that want to add some gentle strength training to their services.
 

Cons of the TITAN Plate loaded functional trainer

 
The cons of the TITAN plate loaded functional trainer are:
 
  • Plate loaded
  • Makeshift
  • Many moving parts
 
The fact that the plate loaded functional trainer is plate loaded makes it cheaper, but also means that you have to have plates and storage for them first. Also handling the plates can be a pain, as you need to fit them onto the pins and get them off. If you like to "run the rack" in your exercises, this machine is more of a pain than a gain. The many plates can also be a hindrance when you are working with a client and create a trip hazard.
 
The hole construction has a bit of a makeshift feel about it. This is often the case when the exercise machine is majorly a combination of pulley which have been connected on a frame. That is the entire idea of this machine, but it doesn't make it something that I want to use on a regular basis. If you are not strapped for cash, you might want to opt for the functional trainer from TITAN that includes to weight stacks. If your commercial gym wants to convey a slick and hip image to your clients this might also not be the right choice. This model screams iron den.
 
The many moving parts also make the assembly of the TITAN plate loaded functional trainer complex. TITA is known for bad manuals and occasional missing out in small parts in the shipping. If you are missing a small part in your shipment it is next to impossible to source it separately from the vendor. You will either end up with more big parts to just get one small part or at your local DIY store.
 

Alternatives to the TITAN Plate loaded functional trainer

 
Alternatives to the plate loaded functional trainer are:
 
 
The TITAN functional trainer is the big brother of the plate loaded functional trainer. It ships with two 200lbs weight stacks. While these can have their own challenges, this is the cleaner and more stable installation once it is set up. If you buy a functional trainer as an addition to a health/spa or yoga gym, this is the better choice. This is also the better choice in a gym with high footfall as it creates fewer opportunities to break the machine while loading the plates. The only disadvantage is that you have to fork out about $1300 more to get this version of the functional trainer.
 
The TITAN lat tower is a great addition to any home gym that means business. Usually you will already have a couple of kettlebells, dumbbells, and a rack with plates and a barbell before considering this. As a second purchase to add a sizable machine to your home gym the lat tower is a better choice than the plate load able functional trainer. The quality of the pulleys is better, you can load it with up to 300lbs, and it will provide a weight stack to your for a different form of training for you.
 
The TITAN hack squat leg press is also slightly more expensive, but provides a good focus on your legs. If you have the space and prefer dedicated machines over multi functional machines in your training, than you can consider the hack squat leg press machine as a 2 in 1 for your home gym. For commercial gyms this is not necessarily the best option as 2 for 1 always means you need more instructions for the machine or higher injury risk due to using it incorrectly.
 

Conclusion for the TITAN Plate loaded functional trainer

 
The TITAN plate loaded functional trainer is a great solution for a dorm basement where everyone chips in. Especially if there are already some plates available. If you are building a garage gym in your home and you have the spare change I would lean more towards the TITAN functional trainer or the lat tower as an addition to your already existing rack or as a training station for the entire family.